Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, Dr. Emily Hunt never envisioned she would one day conduct research that could blow things ups or cure cancer. Today, as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), Canyon, she is recipient of an NSF Small Grant for Exploratory Research, Combustion Synthesis of Nanostructured Metallic Foams: Reactant Composition and Antibacterial Properties, that complements her research interests in energetic/explosive material reactions and synthesis, and high-speed infrared imaging. Hunt also receives research support through contracts between WTAMU and Pantex, a Department of Energy facility located outside of Amarillo that focuses on dismantling nuclear warheads for the United States. Additionally, her commitment to education and K-12 outreach is demonstrated in her leadership as PI or co-PI on three NSF-funded education-related projects totaling more than $2 million for scholarships, recruitment, and retention efforts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

“Dr. Hunt is an outstanding faculty member with an established research program, recognized publications, and external funding support,” said Dr. James Hallmark, WTAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, formerly Dean of Graduate School and Research when Hunt was hired. “Furthermore, Dr. Hunt is highly committed to providing a high-quality education for her students. She is a fabulous role model as she mentors undergraduates in research projects, advises students about their educational pathways, and works with young women across the Texas Panhandle to introduce them to the opportunities of science and engineering careers.”

Hunt has been instrumental in building the new WTAMU community college initiative by assisting with the development of pre-engineering and engineering transfer programmatic efforts and funding for transfer student scholarships. She is co-PI on an NSF funded scholarship project that targets high-achieving students with significant financial needs who wish to transfer to STEM majors at WTAMU from community colleges across the WTAMU service region. “The support from TEES and WTAMU has encouraged and enabled me to pursue funding and opportunities in engineering education that will truly make a difference in the Texas Panhandle,” said Hunt.

Hunt, whose Ph.D. is from Texas Tech University, teaches fundamentals of engineering, statics, materials, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics. She is author of the book Nanostructured Metallic Alloys: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications, coauthor on several journal articles, and has made numerous presentations as an invited speaker at national and international conferences, most recently at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The Don Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo has recruited her as an expert for informal science activities related to nanotechnology, including a demonstration of nano explosives for the Center’s annual NanoDays events.

Hunt is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers, serving as adviser for the student chapters of these societies at WTAMU. As a parent of three young children, Hunt is even more aware of the importance of exposure to science and engineering at an early age. “We have to show students at all levels of education that engineering is an exciting, dynamic field and that by pursuing a career in engineering, they can have a positive impact on their community and world.”